Move it to lose it

[Lizzy2b]

Hi everyone,

My name is Lariza (better known Lizzy) and I am 26 years old. I started this year determined to lose some weight (by some I mean 19kg). Sadly the scale hasnt been cooperating. Non the less I decided to change my approach and not give up. After all I didn't gain this weight overnight... I dont like or believe that these crash diets is good for you. Im just trying to make healthier choices and live more balanced. The work that I do requires me to sit at a desk for almost the entire day, this presents with a challenge when it comes to reaching 10 000 steps a day.

Anyone else struggling to reach their step goal? What is your approach to losing weight?

I am trying to add as many friends as possible to compete with each day. Lets encourage each other to not give up. Share ideas and remind each other to keep moving.

[Dominique]

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@Lizzy2b wrote:
The work that I do requires me to sit at a desk for almost the entire day, this presents with a challenge when it comes to reaching 10 000 steps a day. Anyone else struggling to reach their step goal?

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Yes, let’s face it: no matter what tricks you are using to get more steps during the day (parking far away from the entrance of your office, printing to a remote printer, taking the stairs instead of the elevator etc.), they won’t get you 10k steps. If you have a desk job (and don’t worry, you’re not the only one), you will have to dedicate some time to walking (or any other activity that gets you moving) outside your working hours.

[A_Lurker]

@Lizzy2b - I'm nowhere near your situation (ie. much heavier) but I've struggled to meet my step goal (well, actually I look at calories burned, but this means now I have to do over 10,000 a day and some of it fairly fast).  Try and get in more steps doing your daily routine.  Do you live in an apartment or house?  If so, break up tasks to increase steps.  Bring your groceries in the front door, but carry a single bag at a time to the kitchen.  If you're watching TV at night, get up and pace during commercials.  If you drive to work, park further away (ie. don't circle around looking for the closest step).  Do the same at grocery stores as well.  Take a walk at lunch.  Drink plenty of water during the day and go back and forth to the bathroom. 

Now, eating healthy and moving more is a good first step.  However, you can still eat healthy and be eating too much.  I count calories, but some people can lose weight without it.  Be more careful of high calorie density foods - nuts, oils, cheese, avocado, peanut butter.  Don't be as concerned about if you've had a cup of lettuce or a cup and a quarter.  I sometimes suggest that people log and track everything they eat for a couple of weeks and see what they're actually eating.  Then they can look and and make small adjustments that can make a difference.

[Lizzy2b]

Thanks for the feedback😁😁😁 it's always nice to hear from other people. Its summer here (finally) so my husband and I are making an effort to go for a walk each evening. I have been tempted to walk to work to get those steps in where I can. But its not the savest route so instead I created silent alarms to remind me to stretch my legs every 2 hours. I have noticed when I am on my stationary bike my fitbit picks up the steps? Does your fitbit do this aswell? In the beginning of the year I started with calorie counting, it did teach me alot (i have a bad sweet tooth and carbs is my best friend). Nowadays I forget to count them. I have almost completely cut artificial sugar out and limit my carbohydrates to a moderate meal every second to third day. In summer I love my salads🤗

What fitbit do you have? What is your opinion on weight in every week vs rather taking measurements?

[Dominique]

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@Lizzy2b wrote:
What is your opinion on weight in every week vs rather taking measurements?

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There are several long threads on weighing daily vs. weekly (for instance, this one and this one). As to weighing vs. taking measurements, they don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Most people would agree it’s a good thing to use several ways to monitor your progress. Maybe measurements don’t need to be taken as often, as inches/centimeters typically don’t change that much in one week’s time.

[Mukluk4]

Weight is just a number.  When someone says they want to lose X pounds, I ask them do they even know what that looks like?

Measurements are a better judge of where you are going.  People look in the mirror and can be way more critical than stepping on a scale.

[tractorlegs]

Hi @Lizzy2b!

Everyone else's responses to you in this thread are excellent! But I would add a couple of thoughts, one which you already mentioned:

1. Patience. We're not after mere weight loss - our true goal is health gain, which usually happens to include weight loss. Our goal is a lifetime of health (and normal weight), so getting healthier slowly as the result of a lifestyle change as opposed to quick "scale-worshipping" weight loss is important. 
2. With that in mind, why not change your daily step goal? Like you, I've discovered that the 10,000 step goal is not very reasonable just because of my job and other things, and can be frustrating. I changed my goal to 7,000 steps (which can be done in the Fitbit app), which is still effective (see my signature below) and more reasonable. Don't misunderstand, 10,000 steps is a great goal, but sometimes it can be frustrating for many people. 

So . . . . Don't be too hard on yourself, and patience is a virtue! 

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@Lizzy2b wrote:
Hi everyone,

My name is Lariza (better known Lizzy) and I am 26 years old. I started this year determined to lose some weight (by some I mean 19kg). Sadly the scale hasnt been cooperating. Non the less I decided to change my approach and not give up. After all I didn't gain this weight overnight... I dont like or believe that these crash diets is good for you. Im just trying to make healthier choices and live more balanced. The work that I do requires me to sit at a desk for almost the entire day, this presents with a challenge when it comes to reaching 10 000 steps a day.

Anyone else struggling to reach their step goal? What is your approach to losing weight?

I am trying to add as many friends as possible to compete with each day. Lets encourage each other to not give up. Share ideas and remind each other to keep moving.

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[Lizzy2b]

Thanks guys for all your comments! There is alot of wisdom in each post. Im happy to report that the scale and tape is packet away. (Im way to obsessive about numbers) My focus is now on being healthy and that cant always be represented my numbers... my step goal is 10 000 a day, I try my best to reach it but its not the end of the world if I didnt reach it. There is no win or lose just try 😉 a picture is worth a thousand words they say. So I think I'll check my progress every other month like that.

[AndyDandyPandy]

I used to aim for 10k steps a day but not anymore. I just do what I can now so I don't have to worry about what I need to do to reach 10k. As long as I finish my 2-3mile treadmil routine and p90x work out video then I call it good. I average only 8k steps a day now. I do still get 10k though when I go out shopping or taking care of errands which can get me another 2-3k to my daily steps. 

If you don't have a job that has a lot of walkings, you have to put in the effort to reach 10k. Walking a few more yards to the store won't cut it. But I say just do what you can and don't stress over 10k unless you can do it regularly without even thinking about it. 

Bottom line is have a job that requires walkings or become a health nut and enjoy walking/jogging/running and do it on a daily basis for 3-5miles a day. Good Luck.